CBD For PTSD

Published on September 03, 2018

Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) is a serious illness that develops after some people experience a traumatic event. Everyone’s brain is different, so not everyone will get PTSD from experiencing trauma. While antidepressants are commonly prescribed to people who have this disorder, CBD oil may be a valid new treatment option because of the way it interacts with our brain.

CBD hemp oil interacts with the endocannabinoid system which is why it has such a long list of possible health benefits. Researchers have discovered that CBD interacts with the same regions of the brain that are affected by PTSD. To know exactly how it works, though, you need to understand how PTSD affects the brain.

What Is PTSD

Traumatic events can cause your brain to change. Traumatic stress has shown to elevate cortisol and norepinephrine, which can lead to damage. The areas of the brain that are most affected by PTSD are the hippocampus and the amygdala.

The amygdala is in charge of your fear response. It is what alerts you to nearby threats. People who have PTSD have an overactive amygdala, which leads them to experience fear and anxiety during inappropriate times.

The hippocampus plays a large role in recalling memory and fear conditioning. People with PTSD have a smaller hippocampus, which explains how people experience painful flashbacks. Scientists believe that individuals who already have a smaller hippocampus are more prone to developing PTSD, which may explain why not everyone develops this disorder after trauma.

How CBD May Help

Cannabidiol has shown to help with many anxiety disorders, including PTSD. One of the main ways it helps relieve anxiety is by reducing the overactivity of the amygdala. When the amygdala isn’t as active, it isn’t sending as many fear signals to the rest of your brain.

Cannabidiol has also shown that it may be able to help with a damaged hippocampus. Research suggests that it promotes neurogenesis in the hippocampus, which means it may be able to help prevent PTSD as well as treat it.

Talk To Your Doctor

If you have PTSD, you should be seeing a doctor about it. If you aren’t now is the time to start. Once you have a safe and healthy relationship with a medical practitioner, they may discuss with you what type of medications are available to you. Talk to them about taking CBD hemp oil, and make sure to go in knowing how it can help. Being educated gives you a better position in the conversation. Your doctor can help monitor your symptoms to make sure you are taking the right route to recovery.

Have you used CBD for your PTSD? We would love to hear your story in the comment section below!